Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 58
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
इह वा मां मृतां कुब्जे नृपायावेदयिष्यसि।वनं तु राघवे प्राप्ते भरतः प्राप्स्यति क्षितिम्।।।।
iha vā māṃ mṛtāṃ kubje nṛpāyāvedayiṣyasi | vanaṃ tu rāghave prāpte bharataḥ prāpsyati kṣitim ||
हे कुब्जे! तू राजाला कळवशील—मी इथेच मृत पडेन; किंवा राघवाला वनवास मिळाल्यावर भरत ही पृथ्वी-राज्य प्राप्त करील।
O hunchback, tell the king, either Bharata shall secure the kingdom on Rama's departure to the forest or else I will die here.
FAQs
It illustrates adharma through coercion: using threats of self-harm to force political outcomes violates truthful, compassionate, and righteous conduct.
Kaikeyī frames an ultimatum to be delivered to Daśaratha: either her death—or Rama’s exile enabling Bharata’s accession.
No virtue is celebrated; the verse highlights obstinacy and manipulative resolve, contrasting with the Ramayana’s ideal of truthful, dharmic persuasion.